PREPARING

Keith Tabatznik in his article “IMPROVING IN ISOLATION” suggested that this shutdown time is perfect for a coach to improve their own game. Eric Rhinehalt, Regional Sports Director and Tony Filicchia, USSF “A” licensed coach agreed when they responded with the following…

“We are starting to understand one benefit many sports families are finding during this unprecedented time, time to recharge. This is equally true for coaches…Now What?

So many coaches are taking this time for self-improvement. I think it will be important to make sure the coaching facet you are working on will match what families are looking for when we return to play. One can spend hours breaking down their own sessions, watching SoccerCoachTV, or studying other coaches’ sessions on a specific technique. The thing is, I suspect most coaches are doing this now on the daily.

 I think this a perfect opportunity to take inventory of each coach’s soft skills and lean in on those that may need work. We so often talk about player development, it is a perfect time to learn about child development to best utilize newly honed soft skills. Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Adaptability, Leadership, Willingness to learn and Empathy will be in demand from sports families on the other side of this.

 I don’t think parents will be looking for the “Smartest coach in the room” any longer. I think they will be very happy having the most caring coach.

Eric Rhinehalt, Regional Sports Director 

?Sharing Insights to Becoming a Caring Coach…

USSF “A” Licensed coach, Tony Filicchia, reflecting on his coaching style, formulated some insights for himself. He now believes that his insights, once understood and if properly applied, can be the foundation for anyone to become a considerate coach.

Here are his Insights…  

1.  Be yourself. Don’t imitate other coaches. Read about, observe, and learn from them, but …

2.  Say at least one nice thing to each player each day – What you say may be the only nice thing they hear that day, but …

3.  Control the controllables. There are only a few things you have control over, such as … 

4.  Set high expectations for yourself and your team, such as …

5.  Don’t allow the winning and losing to define you. Practice hard, and prepare, but remember … 

6.  Take lots of pictures. One day you are going to have made so many memories, that …

7.  Train your players, when possible, with a ball at their feet. (A resource) Kids come to soccer practice to play soccer, not …

8.  Finally, smile a lot and make it fun. With all of the ugly stuff happening in the world …

Click here to read ALL the … of Tony’s Wonderful Insights.

Tony Filicchia, McQueen High School, USSF “A” Licensed

Koach Karl’s Notes:  Our effort to ‘reboot’ US Soccer has been stymied for the time being, and we are realizing that a top-down effort may be futile. A ‘reboot’ bottom-up approach seems to be a much more realistic way to reach our goal of improving the playing environment for our children/players.

 An argument can be made that trying to influence one coach at a time may take a great deal of time. But, this initial investment of time/energy will surely create a great return down the road.  What are your thoughts?

 Your FUNdamental,

Koach Karl (Karl Dewazien)

• Emeritus State Director of Coaching - California Youth Soccer Association 1979-2012
• Author - Internationally Published FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series
• Producer - highly acclaimed ‘9-Step Practice Routine’ DVD.

Clinician at: www.fundamentalsoccer.com